"I am happy to be present with you this morning for certain announcements of trade facilitation measures. Unlike the last four years, when the global economic mood was upbeat, today we meet against the backdrop of a global financial crisis. For the first time in more than a generation, two of the engines of global integration-trade and capital flows-are simultaneously expected to shift into reverse. In an interconnected globalized world, when all nations are being impacted, India too cannot escape unscathed. However, I believe that India will suffer less and recover faster due to the nature of our trade, the diversification of our trade basket, our trade facilitation measures and the proactive steps taken by our Government. Backed by strong economic fundamentals, the stimulus packages announced by the Government will stimulate demand, increase confidence, uplift business sentiment and give a fresh impetus to India's trade and growth story. You may recall my first announcement in August 2004 of an integrated Foreign Trade Policy for a 5 year period 2004-2009. Even today our policy continues to be scripted around that singular refrain of 2004 - "Trade is not an end in itself, but a means to economic growth and national development. The primary purpose is not the mere earning of foreign exchange but the stimulation of greater economic activity". Over the last five years our initiatives have remained focused on our twin objectives to double our percentage share of global merchandise trade within the next five years; and to act as an effective instrument of economic growth by giving a thrust to employment generation